Hourigan has no problem

Michael Hourigan insisted yesterday that is not worried about who will ride Beef Or Salmon next season after Timmy Murphy's decision to link up with the top British owner David Johnson.

Murphy has been Beef Or Salmon's regular rider in his climb to the top of the steeplechase tree but with the Gold Cup contenders Therealbandit and Our Vic owned by Johnson, Murphy's availibility could be an issue.

However, Hourigan said: "It's not a problem until the horse runs next and that is not likely to happen until October.

"I'm not worried at all. There are plenty of good jockeys out there and five jockeys have won on the horse in the past. I'm going to leave it at that."

Michael Kinane returns from Goodwood to Tipperary this evening and the champion jockey can make his mark with both Hamairi in the seven-furlong maiden and Civic Duty in the sprint handicap.

The latter is 12lb higher for a three-length success at Navan earlier this month but that may not be enough to stop him while Hamairi's second to the 1,000 Guineas contender Last Love last month gives him a clear chance this evening.

Louisville, who ran in the 2002 Derby, put up his best performance to date over hurdles when a short-head second to O'Driscoll at Fairyhouse and should now be able to break his duck over jumps.

Farranfore should relish the fast conditions in the first bumper and while the Aidan O'Brien-trained King Of Spades is an interesting contender in the second bumper, Apairofducks looked unlucky on his debut at Limerick.